Testing, Testing

The other day at our Roosevelt property we found a resident under the influence of heroin. When he realized he was about to be homeless because he'd violated our drug policies he said another resident had sold him the drugs.

At that point we gave drug tests to everyone who lived in that area and found three others dirty for heroin.

Of course we hate it when this happens in our clean and sober environment. And it gives ammo to those who gossip about drug use at TLC.  However, we pay little attention to what others say about drug use in our program. 

We regularly screen clients for drug and alcohol use. In addition, we now test for bath salts and spice on a fairly regular basis - even though these new tests cost over $10 apiece.  We spend about $15,000 a year on drug testing kits – and also supply testing equipment to other facilities.

Several years ago we had a situation where the Department of Corrections stopped allowing parolees to come to our program.  It seems violators returning to prison said they’d used drugs at TLC. So many were saying this that the parole board started believing we had lax drug use policies.

 However, after we pointed out that addicts like to blame others for their drug use, they realized violators were trying to excuse their own behavior.  And, of course, the other part of the equation is that corrections people know it’s difficult to stop addicts who are determined to use. 

Even prisons - with fences, dogs, gun towers, and guards everywhere - have a drug problem they're unable to completely stamp out. When they looked at it from this perspective they began sending clients to TLC once more.

Perhaps the best compliment we’ve heard over the years is what prisoners tell each other when planning for parole:

“Don’t go to TLC – unless you’re serious about changing.”